Ar buffer retainer

G.barnes · July 18, 2014, 05:26 AM

Didn't want to hijack the accidental discharge thread. A couple people were talking about not using the buffer retainers because they break. So that got me wondering and I started looking at my stuff. When I close the two halves together the bcg makes contact with the buffer an pushes it backwards a small amount. So if the bcg in the locked position pushes on the buffer and takes the pressure of the retainer then how does the retainer break? I'm only asking cause this is something I havent heard of on a correctly built ar.

tirod · July 18, 2014, 06:51 AM

That's the correct view, when closed the bolt carrier is in contact with the buffer and the detent has no pressure on it. It's never impacted by the buffer.

It doesn't break as much as just pop out because the tube isn't screwed in to the proper depth to engage it. The tube also has to be properly locked into place so it doesn't unscrew and let the detent fall out.

It's extremely rare in M16 to have the detent pop out, but some prefer to make their weapons absolutely reliable and are willing to accept the disadvantages of altering the original design for a statistically insignificant problem. The three main issues with the AR is magazines, ammo, and operator error, who is entirely responsible for having quality magazines in good repair and shooting reliable ammo.

I see no benefit in removing the part just to prevent something that will happen far less than shooting magazines that have been beat on with cheap ammo in them.

Mobuck · July 18, 2014, 07:26 AM

Building an AR-it's so easy even a cave man could do it(by watching a you-tube video).
Not necessarily so. That's how parts get mangled, lowers get split, and malfunctions are built in.

July 18, 2014, 05:26 AM	#1
G.barnes Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2011 Posts: 182	Ar buffer retainer Didn't want to hijack the accidental discharge thread. A couple people were talking about not using the buffer retainers because they break. So that got me wondering and I started looking at my stuff. When I close the two halves together the bcg makes contact with the buffer an pushes it backwards a small amount. So if the bcg in the locked position pushes on the buffer and takes the pressure of the retainer then how does the retainer break? I'm only asking cause this is something I havent heard of on a correctly built ar. Last edited by G.barnes; July 18, 2014 at 07:51 AM.

July 18, 2014, 06:51 AM	#2
tirod Junior member Join Date: January 21, 2009 Posts: 1,672	That's the correct view, when closed the bolt carrier is in contact with the buffer and the detent has no pressure on it. It's never impacted by the buffer. It doesn't break as much as just pop out because the tube isn't screwed in to the proper depth to engage it. The tube also has to be properly locked into place so it doesn't unscrew and let the detent fall out. It's extremely rare in M16 to have the detent pop out, but some prefer to make their weapons absolutely reliable and are willing to accept the disadvantages of altering the original design for a statistically insignificant problem. The three main issues with the AR is magazines, ammo, and operator error, who is entirely responsible for having quality magazines in good repair and shooting reliable ammo. I see no benefit in removing the part just to prevent something that will happen far less than shooting magazines that have been beat on with cheap ammo in them.

July 18, 2014, 07:26 AM	#3
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	Building an AR-it's so easy even a cave man could do it(by watching a you-tube video). Not necessarily so. That's how parts get mangled, lowers get split, and malfunctions are built in.